A Fuel Cell Propulsion System for a for a Mini-UAV

Abstract : This conference paper focuses on a reconfiguration of the Dragon Eye mini unmanned air vehicle (UAV) produced by the U.S. Navy in 2001. The vehicle's wingspan is 1.14 meters, its speed 19 m/s, and it has an electric propulsion system that uses batteries. The mission specification is to modify the Dragon Eye to carry a payload of 1.0 kg with a brushless DC motor that has a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). This presentation describes the working principles of fuel cells, the types of fuel cells available for the mission, various designs for a mini-UAV aircraft, wing design, internal elements, internal architecture, PEMFC stack configuration, the aircraft's longitudinal stability, how it compares with the Dragon Eye, and specific characteristics of the fuel cell used in this modification. The presentation encompasses 37 briefing charts.